Conceived by Brunelleschi for the construction works for the Florence Cathedral dome, the lightweight winch was utilized for hoisting modest loads. It could lift a 1200 kg weight at a speed of 3 meters per second. The machine is powered by four men who, by moving the two horizontal rods, turn a large toothed wheel meshing with a vertical wheel equipped with innovative friction-reducing cylindrical bearings. The lifting ropes wrap around the central drum, one supporting the load, the other supporting the counterweight. Thanks to the pulley fitted into the horizontal wheel, the lifting ropes can run upward without obstructing the movement of the bars.
Technical informations
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Last update: 17 September 2025, 12:11